Shabana Mahmood hints at police overhaul to fix ‘irrational’ structure and vows ‘I will be a reformer’
Shabana Mahmood criticized the “irrational” structure of the 43 police forces in England and Wales and pointed out that the police would be subject to a major overhaul.
In his first speech to police chiefs since his appointment, the home secretary warned that the current system was creating a “postcode lottery” for the public.
A white paper will be published in the coming weeks outlining the government’s plans for police reform, with forces facing a £1.2bn budget deficit.
At a conference with police leaders who appeared to be signaling change, he said that “if we are honest, the structure of our police forces is illogical.”
“We have offloaded critical functions such as the national police air service and investigation to local forces, diverting attention away from neighborhood policing,” he said.
“We have 43 forces tackling cross-border criminal gangs and disparities in performance in practice across the country have widened, confirming the old view that policing in this country is a postcode lottery.”
He said the adoption of new technology was “piecemeal” with many forces relying on the same systems that have been in use for decades.
Ms Mahmood said the government’s upcoming white paper would set out plans first announced last year, including the establishment of a new National Policing Center and “wider police reform”.
“Details will follow,” he added. “But to give you a sense of direction, I was a reformer in the Ministry of Justice. I will be a reformer in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“And above all, I will act with the performance to ensure the right level of scrutiny and accountability, without ever stepping into operational independence, ensuring that all of you can police expertly without fear or favor.”
Police chiefs have previously called for radical reform of the 43 law enforcement structures in England and Wales and support a system of fewer, larger forces.
Speaking after the conference on Wednesday afternoon, NPCC chairman Gavin Stephens said the current model was no longer affordable.
Ms Mahmood also told delegates at the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) Annual Summit in Westminster that police “should not use perfectly legal language in any individual’s tweets”.
This follows a series of free speech controversies, including the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan over his posts on social media platform X.
Last week the home secretary announced that former director of public prosecutions Lord MacDonald would review the use of police powers around protests and social media.
Ms Mahmood said this would also include the transition between these powers and “how we police the online world”.
“Frankly, there are very bad examples of disproportionate arrests,” he said.
“We will legislate where necessary to clarify what is in and out of law, but we must also be honest, some of these recent arrests raise questions about police decision-making.
“So let me state my stance on this issue. Clearly the public rightly expects us to police our streets. There is definitely crime on the internet.
“Some things can’t be legally said, nor can they legally be tweeted, but we shouldn’t be using perfectly legal language in anyone’s tweets.”
The home secretary also thanked the police and crime commissioners for their public service, despite last week announcing the duties would be abolished from 2028.
